Design project | A minimalist living room in beige, white & walnut

It’s not often I get to share my finished client designs. Many people (understandably) are reluctant to have their homes featured online, and in any case lockdown has made it virtually impossible for me to visit them to take photos over the last year. So, I’m very excited to be able to show you the results of one of my favourite projects to date, created for Triz of @theclinicalhome.

Triz lives near me in Bristol and we’ve been following each other on Instagram for a while now, so I was delighted when she asked me for help transforming her living room. She opted for my full-room package, which gives clients a bespoke design with everything they need (mood board, floor plan, visual renderings, clickable shopping list) to implement it in their own time and at their own pace. I started with an hour-long consultation so I could get a feel for the space, Triz’s taste and her budget (done on site in this instance, but I can use Zoom for those who aren’t based locally), before getting to work on the scheme. She then turned it into a reality, and it was wonderful to see the finished space in person.

As you might have guessed from her Instagram handle, Triz is a fellow minimalist and had already created a great blank canvas, painting the walls white and fitting a beautiful oak floor. She was keen to retain the room’s bright and airy ambience, but wanted to inject some warmth, add some much-needed storage and invest in some new furniture. She also tasked me with rejigging the layout to make the space work better for her and her husband, who use it for relaxing, entertaining, dining and occasional working.

Taking Triz’s love of calming neutrals and her wonderful pared-back style as starting points, I put together a subtle yet sophisticated scheme based around soft beige and rich walnut, with grey and black accents to give depth and structure. I also incorporated a hint of mid-century style, and created elements of contrast by offsetting clean lines with recurring circle, curve and arch motifs. You can see my mood board and visualisations below:

Given the room’s compact dimensions and varied uses, versatility was key. I therefore included multi-purpose pieces that can fulfil several different functions – and, as Triz and her husband plan to move at some point in the next few years, I focused on timeless modular furniture that won’t date and can be reconfigured or extended to suit future homes. 

Triz often uses the room for exercising and didn’t want to have to move a chunky coffee out of the way to do so, so I left the central floor area clear and positioned String shelving by the sofa so that it acts as a handy surface area for drinks and candles. Integrated cabinets (with sliding doors that don’t require extra space to open) provide storage, and there’s a further side table / magazine holder at the other end of the sofa. I also added a pouf with a removable cushion, meaning it can double as an additional table or extra seating for guests, plus a lightweight table that can be moved wherever needed.

On the other side of the room is a walnut TV cabinet whose grey front panel nicely echoes the footstool cushion, plus a dining nook that can also be used as a work space. The circular bistro-style table fits perfectly beneath the sloping ceiling created by the staircase above, while the &Tradition ‘Pavilion’ chairs add an air of timeless elegance.

Two lamps (one of which hasn’t arrived yet due to shipping delays, so it’s shown in the renderings but not the photos) provide versatile lighting that can be changed to suit different moods, while a woollen rug adds warmth and texture to the space. Finding one the right size proved quite tricky, as it needed to be large enough to sit beneath the sofa but not get in the way of the door from the hallway, which opens inwards into the room. It’s the kind of challenge I relish, and after a lot of research I managed to track down the perfect specimen from Nordic Knots. I also tied the scheme together with accessories and art prints in black, grey, beige, off-white and brass, including some which Triz already owned.

I’m delighted with the finished space and – more importantly – so is Triz. What’s particularly great to see is how she and her husband have added to my suggestions to make the room truly their own, incorporating additional elements such as a high-back chair for reading. The marker of good design is its ability to evolve with your needs, and my job is to give clients the foundations for an interior that they can use and enjoy for years to come. Knowing I’ve helped someone to create a space where they feel happy and comfortable is a real privilege, and I’m very grateful to Triz for trusting me with her home.

Click here to find out more about my design services and how they could help you. And do follow Triz on Instagram – she has an excellent eye and her style is impeccable! 

All photography by Abi Dare